Staging to Sell

You are getting ready to select the 'perfect' Realtor and the one thing they've all mentioned has been staging.  Well what does that all mean?

The simplest answer is 'clean it up!'  Let me explain.

1. A clean home tells the potential buyers you've been taking care of what could be their biggest purchase ever.  Go bunny hunting, dust bunnies that is.  Take the time to clean those corners you might not always get to. Pay special attention to the grout lines in the bathroom.  
2. De-clutter!  How can they appreciate the attributes that make your home so special if they can't see them!  Less furniture is best and surfaces should be as clear as possible.  I've been asked, "should I put things in storage?"  If you have too much furniture, I'm willing to bet you have too much 'other' stuff too and a temporary storage unit could help.  If you are ready to de-clutter permanently, there are also wonderful organizations you can donate to and some will even pick up!
3. Depersonalize.  Your babies (or grand babies) are adorable, but I can tell you many potential buyers I have worked with can't seem to visualize the space with the personal pictures or even dated decor (see #4).  Then there are the altars.  While I can appreciate your right to practice your faith and realize how important it is to you; it scares buyers...  Keep the end result in mind (SOLD).
4. I'm not asking you to spend thousands of dollars re-decorating the place you are trying to sell, but you may want to take your Realtor's advice on certain key items that may be dating your home.  Maybe ask a trusted friend to come in and give you honest (sometimes hard) advice.  Paint isn't that expensive.  Consider brightening a room with a new nuetral paint color if it is currently a dark or dated color.  Lastly...
5. If you can afford it, consider hiring a professional stager.  They will come in and help you do 'what needs to be done' to ensure your home shows well. If it is priced right and staged well, it can be a small price to pay for a quick sale.  Remember, time is money, especially if you have somewhere else you have to get to.

These are some staging ideas, but for more advice check these out:

Don't want to spend tons of $$$?  Check out these tips.

Find Real Estate Staging professionals here.

Dress it to sell!

Are you ready to sell on the east coast of Florida?  Don't forget to call the Research Coast Realty Team at 772.237.1655!